A biography of the Ukrainian political reform leader who helped guide the Orange Revolution and is considered a leading contender in Ukraine's 2010 presidential election.

Yulia Tymoshenko has risen from a private businesswoman to become a key and influential figure in Ukrainian politics. Yulia has been called “Joan of Arc of the Revolution” for her leadership during Ukraine’s 2004 Orange Revolution, and was named #3 Most Powerful Woman in the World of 2005 by Forbes Magazine.

After spending years working in the energy industry at Ukrainian Oil Corporation (UOC) and United Energy Systems of Ukraine (UESU), Yulia took advantage of political and business relationships she garnered at UESU to begin her career in politics.

Early Political Success

It was a grand start in 1996 when Tymoshenko was elected to the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament), winning 92.3% of the vote from her constituency in Kirovograd Oblast. With continuing support from the people, she was re-elected in both 1998 and 2002.

In 1997, Yulia was named first deputy chief of the “Gromada party”, heading the Cabinet of Ministers. Beyond her duties as deputy of the parliament, Yulia chaired a committee on state budgeting. During this time, she helped develop projects for the Budget and Tax codes, social and medical systems, and pension reforms. In 1999, Yulia became the leader of the All-Ukrainian Union Batkivschina (Fatherland) party.

Challenging Corrupt Officials

By the end of December 1999, due to an increasing lack of fuel supplies, President Leonid Kuchma begrudgingly accepted Tymoshenko into the post of vice-Premier Minister in charge of the countries energy system. Working in this role under Prime Minister Viktor Yushchcnko, Yulia developed the “Clear Energy” program aimed at ending corruption and criminal influences in the country’s fuel and energy sectors. Corrupt officials did not respond kindly and Tymoshenko was dismissed from her post in January 2001.

Opposition to the Kuchma Government

Reacting to continuing scandals and corruption in government, Yulia created the National Rescue Forum (NRF), a coalition of political entities opposing the Kuchma government. This group’s main goal was to impeach President Kuchma and remove the entire regime. In November 2001, the member parties of NRF decided to rename the group Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc (BYuT), which went on to win 20 seats in the 2002 Ukrainian parliamentary elections.

In September 2002, Tymoshenko joined other opposition leaders to head a protest called “Rise, Ukraine!”, the first real attempt of resistance that lead to future demonstrations. In 2004, BYuT announced a coaltion with the Our Ukraine Bloc called “Power of the People” in support of their presidential candidate Viktor Yushchenko. Following the controversy of the October 2004 presidential election, Yushchenko and Tymoshenko led the massive protests known as the Orange Revolution.

First Female Prime Minister of Ukraine

After Yushchenko won the presidency in the second round of elections, he nominated Tymoshenko as Prime Minister. In her new position, Yulia made bold moves toward re-privatizing industrial assets, leading to criticism, discontent, and her eventual removal from office by Yushchenko in 2005. During her brief tenure as Prime Minister, Yulia increased pensions while keeping inflation low and increased state budget revenues by 70% without raising taxes. She also rescinded over 5,000 legal acts that gave Kuchma-era officials additional powers.

Today, Tymoshenko continues her efforts as a “radical reformer.” Yulia is considered to be a likely candidate in the January 2010 Ukrainian presidential elections. Referring to her political ambitions, Yulia once said, “"I do not seek power. I simply offer the policy that is able to revive my country."

December 2007: Tymoshenko Becomes Ukrainian Prime Minister

Cross Reference

Yulia Tymoshenko: Life before politics

References

Ukrainska Pravda. December 26, 2001.

Yulia Tymoshenko Biography.

Yulia Tymoshenko Official Website.